Nominations are being accepted for ISBA awards, most will be presented on June 19, 2015, at the Annual Awards Luncheon. Additional information is available at www.isba.org/awards

Law Enforcement Award: The Law Enforcement Award was created to recognize sworn law enforcement officers for conduct that promotes justice and to distinguish those individuals whose service to the public brings honor and respect to the entire criminal justice system. The award is given sparingly to recognize those who truly excel in the field of law enforcement. Nominations must be received by Friday March 6, 2015.

Diversity Leadership Award: The Diversity Leadership Award recognizes long standing, continuing and exceptional commitment by an individual or an organization to the critical importance of diversity within the Illinois legal community, its judiciary and within the Illinois State Bar Association. Nominations must be received by Friday, March 6, 2015.

Human Rights Section Gertz Award: The Gertz Award recognizes long-standing, continuing and exceptional commitment by an individual or an organization to the protection or advancement of Human Rights. Nominations must be received by Friday, March 6, 2015.

John C. McAndrews Pro Bono Service Award: The award is named in memory of Rock Island attorney John McAndrews, who chaired the ISBA Committee on Delivery of Legal Services and is awarded to individual lawyers, law firms and corporate law departments, and bar associations. Nominations must be received by Friday, March 6, 2015.

The Hon. Lloyd A. Karmeier, Illinois Supreme Court Justice, 5th District, will be honored at the 2015 Lawyers’ Assistance Program Joseph R. Bartylak Award Dinner on Friday, April 17, at the Sangamo Club in Springfield. The keynote Speaker will be the Hon. Robert J. Anderson, incoming President of the Illinois Judges Association. The reception begins at 6 p.m. and dinner is at 6:30 p.m.

If you are an attorney representing plaintiffs with discrimination claims or a human rights lawyer with basic to intermediate practice experience, then you won't want to miss this live webcast on March 19, 2015 to learn how to avoid the pitfalls that result in a lost case due to a summary judgment motion, how to appeal various orders from the Illinois Human Rights Commission, and how to preserve the record for appeal!

The seminar is presented by the ISBA Human Rights Section and qualifies for 2.0 hours MCLE credit.

Evanston Township High School’s team was victorious at the recent 19th Annual Northwest Suburban Bar Association Mock Trial Invitational. The contest was held on February 18, 2015 in the courtrooms of the Circuit Court of Cook County’s Third Municipal District in Rolling Meadows. Twenty-four local high school teams, comprised of over 400 students, participated in this Invitational.

Kevin Kappock, Mock Trial Team Coach at Evanston High School was thrilled with his teams’ triumph.

“The NWSBA Mock Trial is one of the premier high school competitions in Illinois. Our team has always considered it a highlight of the season and we are thrilled to have been honored with this year’s first place. The NWSBA has consistently demonstrated an unsurpassed dedication to high school mock trials and the education of our students,” said Kappock.

St. Charles North High School took second place, finishing a mere six points out of first, and Chicago Christian High School landed third. Individual honors were awarded to Elena Von Stee from Timothy Christian High School for Outstanding Attorney and Lucia Garrett from Maine West High School for Outstanding Witness. The students were judged on a point-scale of not-effective (1) to outstanding (5) on various courtroom roles, from witness performance, direct exam by attorneys and cross and recross exam by attorneys.

Join ISBA members for a group admission to the Supreme Court of the United States on Monday, June 8, 2015 in Washington D.C.

Sign up by Friday, Feb. 27 for the ISBA's biennial trip to the U.S. Supreme Court! A special group hotel room rate is available at the Willard Intercontinental Hotel for the admittee, family and guests.

To be eligible, you must be an active lawyer member of the ISBA, admitted to practice more than 3 years, and not have any adverse disciplinary action pronounced or in effect during that 3-year period.

Chief Circuit Judge Kathryn E. Creswell is pleased to announce that following a Feb. 25, 2015 meeting of the Circuit Judges of the 18th Judicial Circuit Court, two finalists for the office of Associate Judge have been selected and certified to the Supreme Court. The finalists are seeking to fill the vacancy created by the elevation of Judge Paul M. Fullerton to Circuit Judge. From these names, the Circuit Judges will select one appointee by secret ballot.

The third edition of the ISBA Solo & Small Firm Practice Institute was held on Feb. 26 at the NIU Conference Center in Naperville. The focus was Time and Technology Tips. The next Institute will be held in East Peoria on April 16.

While nothing is guaranteed in life or law, attorneys and firm management consultants say taking a step back and looking at the big picture, whether you're a solo practitioner or at a large firm, is essential to knowing where you've been, where you're going -- and how you will keep growing. And such a strategic planning process is the best way to achieve success in the long run, even if it seems like you've been doing just fine dealing with the day to day.

Ballots for ISBA elections won't be distributed for another month, but it's not too early to get acquainted with the candidates' backgrounds. Voters have an extraordinary number of choices this year, with contested races for third vice-president, four of six board of governors seats, and the assembly. You can view candidate bios in the March Illinois Bar Journal.